How much land do all the fracking wells in the United States take up?

In 2011 over 16,000 new fracking wells were built in the US. In 2012 over 19,000 wells were built. Fracking wells are taking over many of America's landscapes and with every well, comes enormous environmental impacts.

Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) wells require large industrial sites, ranging from 5-15 acres. On any given day, trucks are coming and going from these sites carrying water and supplies. Once on site, the millions of gallons of water are mixed with sand and over 600 different chemicals, including known carcinogens and toxins like lead, uranium, and methanol. For each "frack", chemical fluid gets pumped deep under the earth's surface, where it can contaminate groundwater that cities and towns often use for drinking water. Finally, after the oil or natural gas is extracted, the waste fluid is left in open air pits to evaporate, releasing harmful VOC's (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere, contaminating ground level ozone and causing smog and acid rain. Now, imagine 500,000 of these "fracks". As the quiz above shows, this is the reality of dirty energy in the United States.

This energy reality is why the Artists Against Fracking are joining communities across the country, calling for a ban on fracking. New York is at the forefront of the fight -- Governor Cuomo is considering lifting a temporary ban that would usher in an estimated 100,000 new fracking wells. We are calling on him to do what is right for the environment and communities by permanently banning fracking.

Be sure to spread the word and share this quiz with your friends. Want to take the next step? Sign the petition urging New York's governor to ban fracking in the state.

Sources:
http://www.earthworksaction.org
http://www.energyfromshale.org
http://www.gaslandthemovie.com